Toy submarine



P 10, 1940. E. A. BUEHLER 2,214,270

I TOY SUBMARINE I Filed Feb. 26, 1940 mania/m INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES TOY SUBMARINE- Edward A. Buehler, Troy Township, Oakland County, Mich., assignor of one-tenth to McConnell-Petermann 00., Michigan Inc., a corporation of Application February 26, 1940, Serial No. 320,868

Claims.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in toy submarines.

The principal objects of this invention are: First, to provide a submersible aquatic toy of 5 simple, durable and inexpensive construction;

Second, to provide such a toy having a minimum number of parts wherein each of the component parts is of simple construction;

Third, to provide such a toy which cannot easily be put out of working order;

Fourth, to provide such a toy employing a rubber band method of propulsive power but simplifying the suspension and operative action thereof;

Fifth, to provide such a toy which is designed not only to submerge but travel upon the surface of the water according to the wish of the operator;

Sixth, to provide in such a toy a simple mechanism to control its action, said mechanism being transversely inserted and secured in the prow of such toy;

Seventh, toprovide an inexpensive system of ballast for such a toy which may be pumped into the hull interior; and

Eighth, to provide such a toy having such other advantages as shall hereinafter appear.

With the foregoing objects in view, this invention consists of the combination and arrangement of its parts as is hereinafter more fully described, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and as set forth in the claims therefor.

In the accompanying drawing, consisting of one sheet, forming a part hereof:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4' is a rear elevational view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View on line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of directional fin when adjusted for submerging of submarine.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of directional fin when adjusted to confine movement of the submarine to the surface of the water.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the hull consists of two complemental sections l and 2 and, when secured together, simulate the general appearance of a submarine. Section I forms the starboard side of the vessel and section 2, the port side. The sections I and 2 are secured together by folding and crimping extending portions of said sections I and 2 and form a hull substantially circular at the point of its greatest diameter, as shown in Fig. 3, and tapering fore and aft therefrom, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In order to further simulate the appearance of a submarine, a simulated gun I2, a simulated tower l3, and a simulated periscope l4 extend upward from the hull as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In order to keep the vessel from listing and to maintain it in an upright position, a ballast 3 5 consisting of a concrete or Portland cement mixture, or other suitable mixture, is injected into the hull and permitted to harden in the desired position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

To further simulate the appearance of a submarine, simulated torpedo tube openings 15 are provided by identation of the fore portion of the vessel, there being four of such simulated torpedo tube openings l5, as shown in Fig. 4.

The propulsive power is supplied by means of an ordinary rubber band 8, one extremity of which is affixed to a hook 9 extending astern from the fore closure or directional fin retention means In secured in the prow of the vessel and. the other extremity to a hook 1 extending for- Ward from the stern closure 6.

Hook 1 performs a dual function, its shank serving as an axle or shaft for the propeller 4. The propeller s is held in position by means of a washer 5 abutting the rearward extremity of the stern closure 6. This construction of the propeller assembly is shown in detail in Fig. 5. The propeller 4 also performs a dual function, being used as a key to wind the propulsive power means, rubber band 8. 30

The directional fin ll consists of a quite substantially square or oblong piece of sheet metal with its central area slightly dented or depressed to permit its being snapped upward or downward from true horizontal by the pressure of the hand or finger of the operator. Directional fin ll, shown in Fig. 6 snapped down, causes the vessel to dive or submerge when in this downward position. When directional fin II is snapped upward to a point which is slightly above true horizontal, Fig. '7, the vessel follows the surface of the water.

The directional fin H is secured to the prow of the vessel by means of the fore closure or directional fin retention means l0, being inserted in a recess of the fore closure means [Band secured in a traverse position in relation to the prow, as shown in Fig. 4.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention it is contemplated that hull sections l and 2, extending simulated gun l2, simulated tower I3, and simulated periscope l4 Will be stamped of metal or other moldable material; and that the directional fin retention means or fore closure I0 and the stern closure 6 will be made of wood, rubber, or other suitable material.

The toy submarine assembly is put in operation by simply adjusting the directional fin l l for the desired control, winding propulsive power means 8 with propeller 4, and launching the toy in the water.

It is realized that the rubber band method of providing propulsive power is not new but a simplified application is herein accomplished with reference to the arrangement of the means of suspension provided solely within the interior of the vessel.

What I claim is:

1. In a toy submarine, a frontal control means, substantially as described, for causing such a miniature vessel to submerge or follow the water's surface comprising an oblong or square piece of sheet metal, slightly dented in its central area, secured transversely in relation to the prow of such vessel within a retention means therefor.

'2. In a toy submarine, a directional fin retention means comprising a fore closure means with its bow extremity recessed by receive and secure transversely in relation to the prow of such vessel a flat oblong or square directional fin and having a hook extending astern from its rear extremity.

3. In a toy submarine, a directional fin consisting of an oblong or square piece of sheet metal having its central area dented, which is adjustable by the application of pressure to points above and below true horizontal, substantially as described.

4. A toy submarine substantially as described, comprising a hull simulating the appearance of a submarine with extending simulated gun, tower, and periscope, a ballast substance within said hull, a propulsive power means suspended entirely within the hull interior by attachment to two hooks secured in opposing relation by means of stern and fore closure means affixed in apertures fore and aft in said hull, a propeller, and a fiat oblong or square directional fin slightly dented in its central area and secured transversely in relation to the prow of said vessel with in said fore closure means.

5. A toy submarine substantially as described, comprising a hull simulating the appearance of a submarine, a ballast means therein, a propulsive power means suspended entirely within the hull interior, a stern closure means housing within its longitudinal center a shaft having at its stern extremity a combination propeller-key and having at its fore extremity a book, a fore closure means having at its stern extremity a hook and having at its fore extremity a transverse recess, and a flat oblong or square directional fin slightly dented in its central area transversely secured in relation to the prow of said vessel within said transverse recess of the said fore closure means.

EDWARD A. BUEHLER. 

